“Home Again,” shot in Pontiac this month, involved a diverse group of local actors and producers.

DETROIT — Filmmakers have been increasingly capturing Michigan’s unique ambiance with the help of a diverse group of locals— both in front of and behind the camera— since the state approved a film incentive in 2008.

Michigan’s film incentive has ushered in huge Hollywood productions since then— the biggest to date belonging to Warner Bros.’ upcoming “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice”, which has been shooting around metro Detroit all year.

The tax break has turned Michigan into one of the country’s most desired filming locations for both big Hollywood productions and smaller independent passion projects, with filmmakers looking to take advantage of the state’s well-rounded outdoor scenery that now comes with a much cheaper price tag than either Los Angeles or New York City.

Director/Producer  Janet Torreano Pound

The incentive has, in turn, served as a major platform for local filmmakers, actors and artists who are now striving to be involved in various film productions across the state.

Director-producer and casting agent Janet Torreano Pound, who casted local actors from Detroit for the “Batman vs. Superman” film, told The Arab American News that she’s been able to place local Arab American actors in several projects filmed here.

“There are quite a few Arab actors here, more-so than any other market,” Pound said.  “We’ve been able to get them placed in several projects. It’s great, because I’ve seen a change in the business where ethnic diversity is one of the first things they ask for in casting.”

Pound, who resides in West Bloomfield, is currently in post production as a director-writer on her own short film, “Home Again”, which just wrapped a shoot in Pontiac earlier this month.

The film, adapted from a full-length play written by Pound, is about the struggles of a blended family that includes an Irish-American man who is on a quest to return to his homeland but is convinced by an African American maid to stay in Pontiac.

To help orchestrate the production of the film, Pound assembled a diverse crew of local filmmakers and actors. The producers of the film include Susu Tobia, a Detroit based Jordanian-American actress, and Ryan Gerald D’Silva, a Detroit based Indian-American director and producer.

Tobia, 27, who resides in Sterling Heights, said despite the recent surge in productions around metro Detroit, local filmmakers still struggle to make a living here. It requires a lot of patience and dedication.

Jordanian-American Actress Susu Tobia.

“We aren’t like L.A. or New York,” Tobia said. “In Michigan, you have to try a little more and push a little harder. We have our Detroit hustle here and we all support each other to try to get things done. As a radiant young artist, you really have to believe in it and go after your dreams.”

D’Silva, who was raised here, moved to New York City in 2009 to intern for comedian John Stewart. Despite finding consistent work there, he returned to Michigan less than two years later to take advantage of the incentive.

“There’s a community here and there’s a growing effort to strengthen the economic film situation in Michigan,” D’Silva said. “You have to be willing to be humble. It can’t be about the money. Everyone who is doing it here is doing it for the love of filming over the dollars. I believe if you have that attitude the dollars will eventually come.”

D’Silva aspired to be a filmmaker while growing up, despite a lack of Indian-Americans in Hollywood. He could barely recall any prevalent Indian characters, besides Apu, the convenience store clerk on “The Simpsons” (voiced by White actor Hank Azaria). 

Indian-American Producer Ryan Gerald D’silva

Now, however, D’Silva acknowledges that Indian actors and filmmakers seem to be much more prominent in Hollywood films. He noted that filmmakers in Michigan are aiming to break stereotypes and molds that are often portrayed in the media, by infiltrating the state’s diverse population into both big Hollywood productions and in smaller scale projects. 

He envisions a potential avenue for Arab Americans similar to that of the recent breakthrough of Indian Americans in Hollywood.

 “Now you are starting to see Indians in a lot more stuff and you no longer necessarily see them in the stereotypical roles,” D’Silva said. “What’s great about Michigan is we are an urban melting pot. I have a lot of Arab American friends who are actors and filmmakers; and that is definitely coming to the forefront. I think we will see a lot of them going into creative arts.”

Tobia admitted that part of the problem for aspiring Arab American filmmakers and actors like herself is finding a support base. It might not necessarily be a career move that would automatically get the family’s approval, despite the culture having a rich history in the creative arts.

“Fear always gets in the way,” Tobia said. “There’s so much talent behind the Middle Eastern community, but we have to come together. There seems to be a clash between the young and the old. We have to create strength through each other and say ‘let’s bring back the art’ and chase our dreams. Let’s show people the different views of our culture.”

As a casting agent, Pound said she’s seen a recent trend where producers are “blind casting”, selecting actors for parts without a specific ethnicity in mind. It’s an opportunity for actors of ethnic backgrounds to shine based on their talent and not their race.

“An Arab American female actress doesn’t just have to read for parts that only ask for Arabs,” Pound said. “She can be a social worker or a corporate head, and that’s what’s so great about it. Film is an area where we can educate people about these things. A strong female actress is a strong female actress, regardless of her background.”

Boston.

With the current incentive set to end in 2017, filmmakers are hopeful that it will be extended beyond that. Earlier this month, the State House of Representatives passed a bill that could keep the incentive alive through 2021.  

African American Actress Linda Boston, who plays Dorothy the maid in Pound’s upcoming short film, said the film incentive has greatly impacted the creative arts community in metro Detroit.  

Born in Chicago, Boston moved with her family to Detroit as a child and has been involved with creative arts here throughout her entire life. From performing arts; to broadcasting on WJR (AM 760); to singing on a CD co-produced by renowned Jazz producer Randy Scott; to acting in films, Boston has embedded herself into Detroit’s creative arts community.

Last year, she moved to Atlanta to be involved in the arts programs at a local school there, but fittingly enough, found herself “Home Again”  when she returned to Detroit to shoot her part as Dorothy.

“As Hollywood begins to embrace other states, Michigan will continue to be one of them, especially if they maintain the incentive for them to come here,” Boston said. “The multiple avenues of revenue through film making is always going to attract caterers, airlines, hotels, actors, crews and costs for renting locations and shutting down streets. All of this constant flow of income and revenue will greatly contribute to Michigan’s economy.”